XN000022-1994-02-23 — Page 16

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1994

MR PRESIDENT, IT IS THE EARNEST HOPE OF THE ADMINISTRATION THAT, SUBJECT TO THE AMENDMENTS TO BE MOVED BY MR ANDREW

WONG, THIS COUNCIL WILL PASS THE BILL WHICH IS NOW BEFORE IT SO THAT WE CAN IMMEDIATELY GET ON WITH THE PREPARATION FOR THE 1994-95 ELECTIONS.

THANK YOU, MR PRESIDENT.

SPEECH BY SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR NICHOLAS NG,

ON THE HON ALLEN LEE'S AMENDMENT TO ELECTORAL PROVISIONS

(MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS)

(NO. 2) BILL 1993

MR PRESIDENT,

I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION MR LEE'S AMENDMENT.

IS AGAINST

FOR

FIRM

THE PROPOSED "SINGLE-SEAT SINGLE-VOTE" VOTING SYSTEM LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS HAS WIDESPREAD SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY. THIS COUNCIL ITSELF HAS ALSO GIVEN SUPPORT TO THIS PROPOSAL DURING TWO PREVIOUS DEBATES IN JULY AND NOVEMBER 1992. WB JUST CANNOT SEE ANY GOOD, LOGICAL REASONS NOT PROCEED WITH LEGISLATION ON THIS PROPOSAL.

TO

MR PRESIDENT, I HAVE SAID EARLIER THAT OUR DOOR HAS BEEN OPEN ALL ALONG FOR DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE SIDE. BUT HOWEVER MUCH WE WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO LEGISLATE ON THE BASIS OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, PRACTICAL TIME CONSTRAINTS MEAN THAT WE NEED TO GET ON WITH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS EVEN IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH AGREEMENT.

FOR THESE REASONS, AGAINST MR LEE'S AMENDMENT.

AN

THE THREK EX-OFFICIO

MEMBERS WILL VOTE

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